Slater Martin
Inducted:
1982
Player Stats
5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
170 lb (77 kg)
Born
October 22, 1925
Elmina, Texas, U.S.
Died
October 18, 2012
Houston, Texas, U.S.
Position
Point guard
College
Texas (1943–1944, 1946–1949)
Slater Martin was one of the NBA’s premier point guards during the 1950s and early 1960s, known for his tenacious defense, leadership, and smart playmaking. He played 12 seasons in the NBA, spending time with the Minneapolis Lakers, Milwaukee/St. Louis Hawks, and Fort Wayne Pistons. Martin was a key contributor to five NBA championships—four with the Lakers and one with the Hawks—and was a seven-time NBA All-Star.
Despite being undersized, he was respected for his quickness, court vision, and clutch performances in big games. Martin finished his career with over 7,000 points and 3,000 assists. His consistent excellence and championship success earned him induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1982.
Martin's Awards & Records
- 22 honored by Los Angeles Lakers
- Second-team All-American – Look (1949)
- Third-team All-American – Helms (1948)
- 15 retired by Texas Longhorns
NBA Records
- 5× NBA champion (1950, 1952–1954, 1958)
- 7× NBA All-Star (1953–1959)
- 5× All-NBA Second Team (1955–1959)
- Finished in the NBA Top 10 for assists six times
NBA Teams
Minneapolis Lakers (1949–1956)
New York Knicks (1956)
St. Louis Hawks (1956–1960)
BAA Draft
1949: 3rd round
Minneapolis Lakers
Number Worn
22, 7
NBA Stats
Seasons:
12 (1949-1960)
Game played:
745
Points:
7,337 (9.8 ppg)
Rebounds:
2,302 (3.4 rpg)
Assists:
3,160 (4.2 apg)
Field Goal(%):
36.4
Free Throw(%):
76.2
Playoff Games:
92